Fiee escape laddee



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. A. PETELBR.

FIRE ESCAPE LADDER. y No. 283,654. Patented Aug. 21, 188

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2, A. PETELER. PIRE ESCAPE LADDER.

No. 283,65 Patented Aug. 21, 1883.

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"UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AlLOlS PETELER, OF NEWT DORP, NEV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM H.

PETELER, `OF SAME PLACE.

FIRE-ESCAPE LADDER.

SIECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 283,654, dated August 21, 1883.

Application filed Mai-e118. 1893. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, Lors PETELER, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at New Dorp, in the county of Richmond and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Ladder Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a specification.'

This invention relates to that 'class of fireeseapes comprising awheeled truck or carriage on which is mounted a swinging ladder to be lowered and rest on the truck when not in use, and be raised to a position for use when de-F sirable.

The novelty in my apparatus consists in a peculiar arrangement of a balance-weight on the swinging ladder, and in certain other features, hereinafter fully described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichum Figure l represents an end View, looking from a forward direction. Fig. 2 is a side view, showing some ofthe parts in a different position from Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section on alarger scale than in the previous figures. Fig. 4 is an inverted plan view. Fig. 5 is a detail View of the swinging ladder.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

The. letter A designates the frame of the truck, and B 4B its wheels, four in number, turning on the fore and hind axles, G C.

The letter D indicates the swinging ladder,. which is mounted on the truck by horizontal pivot-shafts u, projecting from the ladder and resting in bearings on -the truck-frame. Said pivots a are near one end of the ladder, where it is made solid, as at D', and hence when the ladder is raised such end is brought near the ground. On fthe lower or solid part of the ladder are vertical guides b, in which is arranged a sliding balance-weight, E, so that if, when the ladder has been raised, this weight is set free, it falls to the ground by gravity, thus adjusting itself thereto, while by its contact with the ground it tends to sustain the ladder in an upright position.

On the lower end of the weight E are spurs c, which, when the weight is permittedV to fall, enter or penetrate the ground or any suitable crevice therein, as between the blocks of a pavement, so that the effect of the weight is thereby materially increased. If necessary, these spurs c may be driven into the ground, as by striking the weight with a hammer. With the weight E is combineda fastening, consisting in this example of a set-screw, F,

Figs. 3 and 4, whereby it may be heldin contact with the ground, so that said weight acts positively to support the ladder, it, together with the ladder, being prevented by the set screw from moving in any direction. The setscrew F passes through a cross-piece, d, on the guides b, and by its means the weight E may also be held in an upper position when not in use, in which position the weight performs the function of balancing the ladder as it is being raised or lowered. v

For the purpose of lifting the weight E, I employ a lever, G, which ishung to the ladder at one end, as at c, and passes through a loop, f, on the weight, so that by swinging this lever upward it carries the weight with it.

The raising and lowering of the ladder D is accomplished by means of a pinion, H, fixed to a shaft, H', on the truck, and engaging a toot-hed segment, H, on the ladder, the shaft being provided with a handle,- H-J, for turning it, and with a ratchet-wheel, H5, coacting with `a pawl or detent, H

To the i ladder D are hung by horizontal. pivot-shafts g two bridges, I I@ one on each side of the ladder, adapted to be adjusted to a window and to the ground, respectively, as indicated in Fig. l, so that a direct passage is formedthereby from the window to the ground, allowing a person to escape from the window with convenience. 'Said 4bridges I I may be provided with handrails h, and they are supported in the desired positions by ropes i.,

`which are connected thereto at one end and pass over pulleys i', while they are fastened to a suitable part of the ladder D at the opposite end. When the bridges I I are not in use, they are swung to a position parallel with vthe ladder D, as indicated on the left-hand side of Fig. 2.

The ladder D is constructed with two sets .of rounds, 7' j, Fig. 5, between which. is arranged a sliding ladder, D, having connected to it Vone end of a rope, 7c, which passes over A rying a pulley, r, Fig. 4, around which passes .a pulley, k', and the other end of which is convl and 2, itis steadied by brace-ropes n, con- -nected thereto, from a cross-piece on the top of the swinging ladder.

On the upper part of the sliding ladder D is located a double bridge, J, which is hung thereto by pivots o, and at the top of said ladder are arms J', of yoke shape, which act as a support for the bridge, alternatelynthat is to say, these arms project inopposite directions from the ladder, and receive the bridge in themas it is swung to one or the other side of the ladder. The purpose of this double bridge J is, like that of ,the bridges I I/, to facilitate escape from a window, and, if desired, it may be utilized to support a basket, K, for lowering persons to the ground,'this basket beingV furnished with handles p, for drawing it toward a window.

On the forward .part of the truck are arranged seats K, each adapted. to support one or more persons, and also arranged a spindle, q, yfor steering the rear axle, such spindle caravrope, s, having its opposite ends connected to an arm, t, on the axle, both axles being steering mediums.

What I claim as-new, and desire to secure of a sliding balance-weight arranged in verti- .cal guides on the lower part of the ladder, and a fastening for the weight, substantially as and for the purpose describe 3. In a fire-escape, the combination, with a swinging ladder mounted on a suitable truck,

of a sliding balance-weight arranged in verti-Y cal guides on the lower part'of the ladder, and provided with spurs on its lower end, substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. In a fire-escape, the combination, with a swinging ladder mounted on a suitable truck, of a sliding balance-weight arranged in vertical guides ont the lower part of the ladder, and provided with spurs on its lower end, and a fastening for the weight,fsubstantially as and and to the'ground, respectively, and ropes for supporting said bridges in the desired positions.

7. In a fire-escape, the combination, with a swinging ladder mounted on a suitable truck, of a sliding ladder arranged on a swinging ladder, a rope for supporting the sliding ladder, a swinging double bridge hung to the sliding lad der at its upper end, and yoke-arms projecting from the sliding ladder in opposite directions, for supporting said bridge alter- Vitnesses:

W. HAUFF, E. F. KASTENHUBER. y 

